This week, we've got a feature story from Eddie Samples at
www.georgiaracinghistory.com .Back in 1999, Eddie wondered why NASCAR failed to list future Georgia Racing Hall of Famer Jack Smith in their list of their 50 greatest drivers.He contacted Smith,and traveled to his Spartanburg transmission shop to learn more about Smith's life and career.Smith died in October of 2001. In 2003, he was inducted into the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame.You can read Eddie's 1999 story and see some great photos by going to
http://www.georgiaracinghistory.com .Thanks everybody!Brandon ReedGeorgia Racing History.com
Brandon, I loved the read. Thanks for letting us know. Good question why Jack isn't in the top 50.Pete
Brandon, another great job and thanks for all that you do!
I'll tell ya a little lessor known fact: In Fayetteville, NC there lives a man by the name of...Jack Smith!!He started racing in the late 1950's and continued his career throughout the 1960's and into the 70's.Jack admired the Jack Smith of NASCAR and even got to meet him a time or two. What Jack Smith of Fayetteville did was adopt Jack Smith of NASCAR's number, #47 and raced with that number throughout his career. Our Jack won over 200 wins including heats at the local Champion and Fayetteville Speedways among many others throughout North Carolina. Jack is now 76 and still working out of his garage with his torch and welder building whatever the grandkids find they need. I spoke with Jack yesterday and he's going to help me fix the shifter on a 46 Ford modified coupe. I needed to rely on Jack's knowledge of how to fabricate a working shifter, something many drivers of today have lost or never found that talent. You can see photos of Jack's car on my page...you can't miss it, it's #47